CNN | LaMotte

The stress a woman feels during pregnancy can affect the developing brain of her unborn child as documented on fetal brain scans, according to a new study published Monday in the medical journal JAMA Open Network.

Fetuses of expectant moms with higher anxiety levels were more likely to have weaker connections between two brain areas involved in executive and higher cognitive functions and stronger connections between parts of the brain connected to emotional and behavioral controls.

The study echoes other recent research that has found a direct impact of maternal stress on a baby's future development.

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Report & CME Now Available to Members

WPP and AAPA presented the final report of the Physician Assistant Title Change Investigation to the AAPA House of Delegates and AAPA members virtually on November 20. The recorded presentation is now available free to AAPA members for CME credit in Learning Central. Members can also access a PDF of the Title Change Investigation Final Report by logging in to AAPA’s website.

Click here for more information on the PA Title Change Investigation.

Covid-19 vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech is strongly effective, early data from large trial indicate | STAT

Pfizer and partner BioNTech said Monday that their vaccine against Covid-19 was strongly effective, exceeding expectations with results that are likely to be met with cautious excitement — and relief — in the face of the global pandemic.

The vaccine is the first to be tested in the United States to generate late-stage data. The companies said an early analysis of the results showed that individuals who received two injections of the vaccine three weeks apart experienced more than 90% fewer cases of symptomatic Covid-19 than those who received a placebo. For months, researchers have cautioned that a vaccine that might only be 60% or 70% effective. 

The Phase 3 study is ongoing and additional data could affect results.

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Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants | Paluch, Lauren DMSc, MPA, PA-C

Bronchiolitis is a common viral illness that affects the lower respiratory tract of infants and young children. The disease is characterized by wheezing and increased mucus production and can range from mild to severe in terms of respiratory distress. This article reviews the epidemiology, clinical presentation, and treatment of bronchiolitis.

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Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants | Gostigian, Amanda PA-C

Pregnant women presenting to the ED with abdominal pain or vomiting are likely to be evaluated for problems with the pregnancy. Although pregnancy-related pathology is common, patients may have intra-abdominal pathology that requires prompt evaluation and possible surgical intervention.

Want to read more? Subscribe or purchase the article here.

JAAPA | Journal of the American Academy of PAs

Osteoporosis commonly affects postmenopausal women and accounts for 300,000 hip fractures in the United States each year. More women are deferring or discontinuing pharmacologic treatment because of intolerable adverse reactions or fear of long-term safety. Supplementing dietary intake of certain vitamins and minerals can have positive effects on bone parameters. Calcium is frequently recommended for osteoporotic patients but many not confer much benefit toward bone density. Certain forms of vitamins A and K have been shown to increase bone density. Isoflavones and phytates are phytochemicals found in soy foods that are comparable to bisphosphonates when consumed at certain levels. Lastly, increasing certain daily fruit and vegetable servings can improve bone health. Nutritional interventions are typically safe alternatives that should be considered for postmenopausal women who are seeking nonpharmacologic treatment options for osteoporosis.

Want to read more? You can purchase this article or subscribe to JAAPA by visiting the website here!

AAPA is offering all PAs 3 months free* of AAPA fellow membership, no strings attached. Offer expires June 19!

Start using your free AAPA membership today!  Just sign into or create your AAPA account by June 19 and select the 3-month free fellow membership at checkout.

As a member, you’ll be part of the movement to advance PAs. Turn to Huddle, AAPA’s online community, for valuable PA discussions. Plus, stay up to date with free and discounted CME, including free post-tests in JAAPA. Discover exclusive PA career resources, from job search tools to leadership training.

See how an AAPA membership can support you during this difficult time and beyond.

*Free three-month trial fellow membership offer: Must sign up by June 19, 2020. Offer is available to non-members only. Trial membership does not include access to the 2020 Salary Report; we invite you to renew your trial membership to obtain access or you may access the 2019 Salary Report. Members on the trial fellow membership will also not be eligible to vote in AAPA elections (eligible voters must be current fellow or student members by May 18, 2020 to participate in AAPA 2020 elections). No credit card required.

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Free Online Courses for Early Onset Breast Cancer

One in 10 new breast cancer diagnoses is a woman under the age of 45. With our input, ACOG and the CDC have developed a free, CME-accredited course series called “Understanding Early Onset Breast Cancer” (EOBC). The courses will help clinicians identify and manage the unique risks faced by young women.

As routine preventive health care services are starting to resume through telehealth and in-person appointments, the new online courses will help clinicians:

• Identify various risk factors for EOBC and how strong of a predictor each risk factor is
• Identify current guidelines and recommendations for EOBC and distinguish points of differentiation
• Identify existing data, including gaps, about breast density and EOBC risk
• Acquire effective risk assessment tools, communication tools and techniques to employ in patient interactions
• Interpret trends in data and identify ways to mitigate the impact of health disparities in EOBC

As a Physician Assistant, we encourage you to take these courses. You can register here: acog.org/eobc.

Continuing Medical Education credit is provided through joint providership with The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

ACCME Accreditation

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)^TM 

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 7 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

College Cognate Credit(s)

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 7 Category 1 College Cognate Credit. The College has a reciprocity agreement with the AMA that allows AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM to be equivalent to College Cognate Credits. 

ANCCCA Accreditation
This nursing continuing professional development activity was approved by the Maryland Nurses Association, which is an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation (ANCCCA).

Continuing Nursing Education Activity Contact Hours
The Maryland Nurses Association designates this enduring material for 7 Contact Hour Credits. Nurses should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Course Link: https://www.acog.org/education-and-events/emodules/emod024

ACOG has updated their COVID-19 FAQs for Obstetrician–Gynecologists, Gynecology

"These FAQs are based on expert opinion and intended to supplement guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Practice Advisory with information on how to optimize patient care in the context of COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic is a rapidly evolving situation and ACOG encourages local facilities and systems, with input from their obstetrics and gynecology care professionals, to develop innovative protocols that meet the care needs of their patients while considering CDC guidance, guidance from local and state health departments, local prevalence, community spread, health care personnel availability, access to readily available local resources, geography, and coordination with other centers.

As ACOG members continue providing patient care during this time, we understand that both they and their patients have questions about women's health during the pandemic. These FAQs are developed by several Task Forces, assembled of practicing obstetrician-gynecologists and ACOG members with expertise in obstetrics, maternal-fetal medicine, gynecology, gynecologic subspecialties, pediatric and adolescent gynecology, infectious disease, hospital systems, telehealth, and ethics, who are on the frontline caring for patients during this pandemic.

This is a rapidly changing landscape, and FAQs will be added or modified on a regular basis as the pandemic evolves and additional information becomes available." 

Visit the website here.